Best Public Schools in Banks, OR

Banks, Oregon is a small city served by three public schools in Banks School District 13, covering grades K–12 with a combined enrollment of 1,081 students. Families here move through Banks Elementary School (K–5, 430 students), Banks Middle School (6–8, 254 students), and Banks High School (9–12, 397 students). The district as a whole is rated 4 stars and ranks 39th of 141 Oregon districts, but that single rating hides big differences between the three schools, which range from 1 star to 5 stars.

Banks High School is the clear standout, rated 5 stars and ranked 14th of 271 high schools (95th percentile). It climbed from the 29th percentile two years ago to the 95th percentile now, with a 98.1% graduation rate and proficiency well above state in English, math, and science. Banks Elementary School is middle-of-the-pack at 3 stars and 52nd percentile, with strong 3rd-grade results but weaker 5th-grade math and science. Banks Middle School is the main concern: 1 star, 25th percentile, and below district and state in every subject, including science proficiency of just 10.5% versus 30.6% statewide.

Attendance is a relative strength across all three schools, each below the state chronic absenteeism rate of 33.5%. Notably, the middle school has the lowest absenteeism (29.4%) yet the lowest test scores, suggesting attendance alone does not explain its results. Spending and class size also do not track neatly with outcomes: the high school has the highest per-student spending and largest classes but the best results. With only three schools, these patterns are descriptive rather than proof of cause, but they give parents a useful starting point.